Early Christians, it turns out, were as concerned with dietary restrictions as are we, though perhaps for different reasons. The reading from Acts of the Apostles this Sunday recounts how the elders of Jerusalem laid out dietary restrictions for early Christians that involved limits on the kind of meat and animal products to be consumed. Twenty-first century vegans and vegetarians restrict the consumption of meat and animal products for health reasons, and a growing body of evidence suggests that such a diet also would be healthier for the planet for a number of reasons. 

Researchers found that if everyone went vegan, enough food could be produced to feed the growing world population until at least 2050 without the need to contribute further to deforestation, where forests are destroyed to create agricultural land.

A team of researchers from the Institute of Social Ecology found that the way to make sure there is enough food in the next three decades is if the world turns vegan by cutting meat from the diet and eating organic products. This transition not only might help save the forests across the globe but also would promote a healthier lifestyle.

Shifting to lower meat consumption, vegetarianism, and lower-yield organic farming techniques could help produce enough food for the growing world population, the researchers found. Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation and habitat loss, with 50 percent of the world's fertile land already dedicated to livestock grazing. As the amount of land needed to support the growing population continues to increase each year, without a decrease in the consumption of meat, further deforestation is the expected outcome.

Other evidence points to a similar conclusion: Meat provides 17 percent of global calorific intake, but it requires a disproportionate amount of water and feed. More land is given over to grazing animals than for any other single purpose worldwide, and livestock account for between nearly 20 percent of greenhouse emissions leading to global warming—about as much pollution as comes out the tailpipes of all the world's cars. Ruminant livestock, such as cattle and sheep, have stomachs containing bacteria able to digest tough, cellulose-rich plants. But along the way, huge volumes of gases are emitted. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the world’s domesticated ruminants annually release 100 million tons of methane—a greenhouse gas 25 times more damaging than carbon dioxide.

Much research in recent years has looked at what is called meat’s environmental hoof print. A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2013 presented findings on the quantities of greenhouse gases associated with producing a kilo of protein from different animals. Chicken proved the greenest meal option at 3.7 kg. Pork came in second with 24 kg. And cattle were far behind at 1,000 kg.

Lessons drawn from the readings

In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis wrote: “Our indifference or cruelty towards fellow creatures of this world sooner or later affects the treatment we mete out to other human beings. We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationships with other people. Every act of cruelty towards any creature is ‘contrary to human dignity.’ ”

Jesus promised in this Sunday’s gospel that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide and teach in his name, reminding us of everything that Jesus stood for, beginning with peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” A few minutes spent watching the widely available undercover videos taken by animal advocates at slaughterhouses and factory chicken farms will be enough to convince most viewers that we need to find a more peaceful way to coexist with other living beings.

Final thought in light of the news

Though percentage-wise the number of committed vegetarians and vegans is relatively small in most nations, perhaps between 5 percent and 15 percent, the numbers are clearly on the rise. And a growing number of consumers are choosing a “flexitarian” diet, consciously limiting the amount of meat they consume and aspiring to a more vegetarian lifestyle. Why not take a step today toward a more sustainable diet, one that not only can improve your own health but also the health of the planet!